duncan



s. R. DUNCAN Re. 24,162

RATUS THEREFOR 7 June 5, 1956 vAcuuu con'mmsn mum: svsmu mo APPA Original Filed Sept. 26, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR GEORGE R. DUNCAN ATTORNEY June 5, 1956 G. R. DUNCAN Re. 24,162 VACUUM CONTAINER MILKING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Original Filed Sept. 26, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2. l2

FIG. 3. 28 I; f 29 ATTORNEY June 1956 G. R. DUNCAN Re. 24,162

VACUUM CONTAINER unxmc SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR original Filed Sept. 26, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet s I I INVENTOR F6 8 GEORGE R. DUNCAN ATTORNEY I June 5, 1956 DUNCAN Re. 24,162

VACUUM CONTAINER MIL-KING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Original Filed Sept. 26, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENT OR GEORG E R. DUNCAN pa 9. a a

United States Patent Oflice Re. 24,162 Reissues! June 5, 1956 'vwum cou'rxm'mnmcsvsmvrmu mmws'manrrron Gear s I. Duncan, Wm flgnor to Zero M hetnrlngconury,w ,Mo.

Nos! rs'asur r rssssuar om tm. s

Thisapplication relatestoan'rilkingsystemforrhilkingoneor more cows and for causing the milk to flow into a container within a refrigerator: or other milk Arr of the invention is to provide a systhe milk is drawn from the animals by means of minus pressure and is deposited by said pressure within a receptacle. y r j An additional object of the invention is to provide a trucktothmilkreceptaelebythe Anadditionalobjeetoftheinventionistoprovidea systesnoltheabovetypeinwhichareceptaelewithin cooled exteriorlyasthereceptacleisfllled milk,soastomaintainthemilkinthereceptacle beIowamaximumnumberofdegrees,say40' F.

Afurtherobjectoftheinventionistoprovidemeans forcoolingmilkinbulkwithinareceptaclewhichisflxed arefrigeratororothermilkcooler.

objectswillappearhereinadter throughoutthe drawings: w

l aperspectiveviewofthesysteminoperaotoneseparatingwallbrokenawsy; a'verticalsectionofthe cooler,withthe and certain parts of the pipe system ahorizontalsectiontskenonthelineJ-S isaverticalsectiontakenonthelineH ,iiiiig sub apartialverticalseetionshowingaportion receptacle in broken lines of a modified form of isaperspectiveviewshowingoneofthecomexchangeunitsandwaterbamespartlyin 7 isaviewpartlyinverticalsectionofanother the invention; v

the invention with h'showsye tanother'formof v partsinverticalsection;and

is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing andmilklinesleadingdirectlytothebulkmilk t invention is an improvement on the strucof my prior issued patents, includ- 2,470,979; 2,482,579; 2,498,401; and

as shown in the several. figa or milk cooler withthemilkreceptacleshowninfulllines;

.sure(notshown).

withtheusualsealingineanasuchasagasketmot pivoted doors 4 which are controlled by levers 5 by means of handles 6.

Located within the refrigerator or cooling cabinet A is a bulk receptacle 7 preferably constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, or other non-ru'stable metal, having a neck portion and a cover 9 therefor. The cover I provided with means (not shown) whereby it may be hermetically sealed to the neck portion, in a manner similartothe covers 50 and 75 ofFigures3 and4ofm Patent No. 2,498,401;

The numerals 10 and 11 indicate two sets of teat cups which are connected to conduits 11 and 13, having valves 14 and 15 respectively: These milk lines or conduitslZ and 13 extend through a window (not shown) in wall 3 and through the cover 9." These conduits may be provided with-sealing means similar to sealing means shown in Figure 3 of my Patent No. 2,498,401, except thatone'ofsaidsealingmeans will beprovidedforeach milk conduit.

The numeral 16 indicates a vacuum line or conduit which is preferably connected toa source-of minus pres This conduit will also be provided shown) whereitpassesthroughthecap9. ltwillbenotedbyreferencetoFigurelthatdue .theelevatedposition ofthecowsandtlrelowerposititm ofthemilkreceptacleintherefrigerator,[that]themilkmotorflmountedonthe-standflsupportedonthe' side wall 24 0f the cooler.

Thepumpdrawswaterfromthesumpofthecooler and forces water up thepipe 25 tothe fitting 26 and out each of the pways 27 and 28. Each of the passn! ways is provided with a plurality of spaced perforations 29 and 30. The water issuing from these passageways engages the sloping walls of the container 7 and the exterior thereof. The chilled walls-of the container cool the milk continuously as it passes'into the tank through the milk conduits 12 and 13. One or more of -saidconduitsl2or13maybeusedaccordingtothe ulatingthe temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant passes downwardly by means of the pipe 33 to a series of combined baflie'and heat exchange units-34 which are connected to each otheras shown in Figures 2 and 3. The refrigerant then passesup' through the return pipe to the refrigerating unit 31.

It will be noted by reference to Figures 2 and 3 that the series of units 34 are located in staggered relationship ,g

so as to leave a serpentine passageway for the passage of water in the lower portion of the refrigerator, from the shown).

47arethermostaticcontr'ols.

Referring to Figure 6 which a broken away perspective view of one of the units 34,- each of said units is preferably constructed of a pair of zinc metallized plates 38 and 39. Portions 40 of the plate 38 have been forced inwardly and welded at 41 to the other plate 39. In this manner a comparatively thin heat exchange unit is provided having a maximum area for heat exchange A drainage conduit 42 having a valve 43 from the receptacle is led through the floor portion of the cooler to an outlet (not shown). A second drainage conduit 65 having a valve 66 is for the purpose of draining 'water from the cooler A. I

Eachof the passageways 27 and 28 is preferably prothe conduit or conduits leading from the source of minus pressure, and the conduits l2 and 13 leading to the sets of test n lntheforrnshowninFigureS, theconduitmeans need notextendthroughthecover9,butinthisconstruction the milk conduits 48 and 49 and the vacuum conduit excteknd' through the top 46 directly into the milk recep- I I In the modification disclosed in Figure 7, C is the milk cooler. The milk cooler is mounted on wheels 64, so that the milk cooler may be wheeled into the milk parlor,

. whereby it may take the place of the milk cooler A shown vided with a removable screw threaded closure 44 and 45 respectively as seen in Figure 3. These closures are with screw threaded ends of the passageways (not shown). passageways. The refrigerator is preferably provided with a removable top 46 that may have a conventional hinged or slidable mounting on the cooler body (not Alternatively, side door means (not shown) may be provided as shown in Figure l of my Patent No. 2,512,094.

Briefly, the operation of the system is as follows: The animals are driven into their separate stalls and secured inthepositionshowninFigurcl. soonasthepair of animals, or one o t-them, has been milked, another pair, or another of them, is driven onto the platforms, so that the operation is substantially The vacuumline appliessuctiontothemilklines,andasthe milkentersthetankthroughtheconduitsflandBJhe sidesofthetankarecontinuouslychilledbythewaterissuingfromthepassagewaysflandil. Thewaterwhich haspassedtothelowersidesofthecontainermovesover anicebankwhichbuildaupamundthelowersidesofthe container. The water is further chilled as it moves around theserpentinepassagewaydetinedbytheseriesofcooling units 34. The temperature of the refrigerant in addi-' tion to being regulated by the means 32 shown in Figure 2, may also be further regulated by the thermostatic means 47 which is connected to the refrigerating unit by conventional wiring connections (not shown). This regulating means may be mounted on pipe 33 or in any suitable position. The purpose of these controls is to regulate the temperature within the mbinet and the temperature of themilk,sothatthemilkismaintainedata given'temperature. These controls indicated by numerals 32 and ThepipeSS which leadsfromtheeateriorof the cooler toadiacentthebottomofthemilkreceptaclehasscrew threads at the upper end thereof to whicha cap 56 may 'b eattached. Whenitis'desiredtoemptythebulkremtionalmilkcanathecoverQanditsconduitsanduse neckportionofthereceptacleasapour-inopening allsoughlperfertoemploythesystemheretoforede- "Conduitmeanf'intheclaimaincludcstheentire They may be removed for cleaning the in Figure 1. After the tank has become filled with milk, it may be wheeled into a truck owned by the farmer and transported to the creamery or other place of disposal,

the milk being removed from the tank 61 by means of the drainage conduit 2 having a cap or cover 63 which extends in the tank 61. This structure is similar to the structurei' catedbythenumeralsandS6inFigure 2; ,One or more spray pipes 64 are located adjacent the upper inner portion of the cooler C, and these spray pipes are provided with a series of openings 65 for spraying a cooling liquid onto the exterior portion of the tank. The cooler is drained by a suitable pipe .66 that is cloM by attached flexible conduits and 71 respectively.

A second cabinet D is permanently mounted in .the nulking parlor 1 shown in Figure 1. This second cabilshowninL m ofconduits mam; rm the receptacle, such as tureshownatAinsaidflgum'Itwillbeunderatoodthat coolerCmaybecausedto' the connecting conduits 83, 84 may have detachable couplings (not shown). Additionally, the cooler B may be mounted on wheels similar to the wheels 60 shown in Figure 7.

The tank opening 81 may be provided with a cover and milk and vacuum pipes, such as shown in Figure 2. or the cover 87 may be substituted therefor. This cover is provided with a milk line 88 having a valve 89 leading to a weighing container 90. This container is provided with a sealed cover 91 through which extend a milk line 92 and a vaccum line 93. The container 90 may be provided with a bail 94 which is supported by a hook 95 of a weigher 96. This weigher may be supported from a suitable support (not shown).

The milk in the tank 80 may be continuously agitated by the agitator 97 having a shaft 98 which extends through vacuum seals (not shown) in the upper portion of the tank and cooler. This shaft extends into a gear box 99 having a suitable electric motor 100.

In Figures 2, 3 and 4 the numeral 150, in Figure 7 the numeral 258, and in Figure 8 the numeral 350 all indi cate the ends of the milk cooler, which ends are semispherical in cross section.

The structure shown in Figure 9 is similar to that shown in Figure 8 except, as stated above, the milk lines and vacuum line are led directly to the interior of the bulk milk receptacle as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In this structure, the milk cooler is indicated by the letter F. Located in the cooler is the tank 80'. Extending entirely around the tank is a coil 82' having connecting conduits 83' and 84' leading to the compressor-condenser 85' mounted on the base 86'. The bulk tank is provided with a neck 87'. Extending through cover 88' are the milk pipes 12' and 13' and the vacuum pipe 16'. A stirrer or agitator 97' is mounted on shaft 98' which extends through the casing and is driven by means of a gear box 99 having a suitable electric motor 100'.

It will be understood that upon actuation of an electric switch (not shown), the motor will be started, and this will drive the agitator 97 so as to continuously agitate the milk both during and following the milking operation.

The words generally-cylindrical" in the claims includes other round sided bulk milk receptacles, such as ovalshaped, elliptical and other shaped sides, in order to distioguish from a bulk receptacle having square sides. The term "semi-spherical ends" designates ends which are partly spherical, preferably not half spherical. The dietionary definition of this term in its broadest sense is partly spherical, i. e. that in Funk and Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary 1929.

It will be further understood that this agitator and the driving means therefor may be used with any of the forms of the invention heretofore described.

The above description and drawings disclose several embodiments of the invention, as specific language has been employed in describing the several figures. It will; nevertheless, be understood that no limitations of the scope of the invention are thereby contemplated, and that various alterations and modifications may be made such as would occurto one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and what is desired to be secured [for] by Letters Patent is:

l. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape, and having a portion extending through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into tlscinteriorofsaidbulkmilkreceptaclethroughsaidportion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milki operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle during the milking operation.

2. in a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally horizontally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape and having a portion extending vertically through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk 'milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation.

3. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape, and having a portion extending through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, and means for agitating the milk in said bulk milk receptacle.

4. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally horizontally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in-shape, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle and into said vacuum receptacle, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leadingtherefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending through said milk cooler and into said bulk milk vacuum receptacle whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, and means for agitating the milk in said bulk milk receptacle.

5. in a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape. and having a portion extending through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, said milk receptacle portion including a neck extending through the said milk cooler, a cover for said neck, said first conduit means and third conduit means extending through said cover.

6. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally horizontally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape and having a portion extending vertically through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means e'xtending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said'bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, said milk receptacle portion including a neck extending through the said milk cooler, a cover for said neck, said first conduit means and third conduit means extending through said cover.

7. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally horizontally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape and having 8 culation of the refrigerant in said receptacle portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, a third conduit means, said last named conduit means extending into said separate container, one of said conduit means including a conduit extending from said separate container through said portion of said milk cooler whereby to maintain a continuous-vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation. t

8. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk ooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally. cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape, and having a portion extending through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, said metallic portion of said second conduit means comprising a spirally wound coil extending substantially the length of said bulk milk receptacle.

9. In a system for milking a farm animal and forcooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally horizontally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape and having a portion extending vertically through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, said metallic portion of said second conduit means comprising a spirally wound coil extending suba portion extending vertically through a top wall of said stantially the length of the said bulk milk receptacle.

10. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animaLcomprising milking means and first conduit means, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler,

said bulk milk receptacle being generally horizontally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape and having a portion extending vertically through a top wall of said cooler, a separate container, said first conduit means extending through the interior of said separate container, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means comprising a pipe leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously during the milking operation, a third conduit means, said last named conduit means extending into said separate container, one of said conduit means including a conduit extending from said separate container through said portion of said milk cooler whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, and means for supporting said separate container including weighing means, and supporting means for said last named means.

11. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally horizontally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape and having a portion extending vertically through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, said metallic portion of said second conduit means comprising a spirally wound coil extending substantially the length of the said bulk milk receptacle, and rotating agitating means including a motor and shaft mounted on said milk cooler, said shaft extending into said bulk milk receptacle and having an agitator on the end of said shaft.

12. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape, and having a portion extending through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion where by to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, and means supporting said refrigerating means exteriorly of and in spaced position from said milk cooler, said second conduit means further including a pipe extending from said refrigerating means into said milk cooler, said pipe being connected to said metallic portion of said conduit means.

13. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally horizontally cylindrical with ends which are 10 semi-spherical in shape and having a portion extending vertically through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in-said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation, and means supporting said refrigerating means exteriorly of and in spaced position from said milk cooler, said second conduit means further including a pipe extending from said refrigerating means into said milk cooler, said pipe being connected to said metallic portion of said conduit means.

14. in a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally cylindrical with ends which are semi-spherical in shape, said bulk milk receptacle having means connected thereto and to said first conduit means, said receptacle also having means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said conduit means at least during the milking operation.

15. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally cylindrical with ends which are curved in any cross section on a single radius, and having a portion extending through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a heat exchange portion thereof in heat exchange contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said heat exchange portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation.

, 16. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk metallic vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being generally cylindrical with ends which are curved outwardly in any cross section, and having a portion extending through a top wall of said cooler, said first conduit means extending into the interior of said bulk milk receptacle through said portion, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a second conduit means leading therefrom and having a heat exchange portion thereof in heat exchange contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said heat exchange portion of said second conduit means at least during the milking operation, and a third conduit means, said third conduit means extending into said receptacle through said receptacle portion whereby to maintain a continuous vacuum in said bulk milk receptacle at least during the milking operation.

17. A system for milking a farm animal and delivering the milk as it comes from the animal into a cooled bulk receptacle, comprising a milking means, a milk cooling means having insulating substantially surrounding walls, a single integral metal milk receptacle permanently fixed in said cooling means and. occupying a substantial part of the interior space thereof, said milk receptacle being of substantially cylindrical form and having milk and vacuum lines operatively connected to said receptacle, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said conduit means at least during the milking operation.

18. A system for milking a farm animal and delivering the milk as it comes from the animal into a cooled bulk receptacle, comprising a milking means, a milk cooling means having insulating substantially surrounding walls, a single integral metal milk receptacle permanently fixed in said cooling means and occupying a substantial part of the interior space thereof, said milk receptacle being of substantially cylindrical form and having milk and vacuum lines operatively connected to said receptacle, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and a conduit means leading therefrom and having a metallic portion thereof in heat exchange metal to metal contact with said receptacle, whereby the milk in said receptacle may be continuously cooled by the circulation of the refrigerant in said metallic portion of said conduit means at least during the milking operation, said refrigerating means including a base located exteriorly of said insulated milk cooling means, a compressor-condenser forming part of said refrigerating means mounted on said base, said conduit means being connected to said compressorcondenser.

References Clted in the file of this patent or the original patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 778,227 Devore Dec. 27, 1904 1,925,877 Mitchum Sept. 5, 1933 1,929,709 Neeley Oct. 10, 1933 2,024,639 Greene Dec. 17, 1935 2,249,051 Schulse July 15, 1941 2,266,134 Wachowitz Dec. 16, 1941 2,320,531 Moionnier June 1, 1943 2,343,717 Turnau Mar. 7, 1944 2,498,401 Duncan Feb. 21, 1950 2,509,214 Cordis May 30, 1950 2,512,094 Duncan June 20, 1950 2,557,252 Bannister et a1. June 19, 1951 2,576,050 Sodcn Nov. 20, 1951 2,594,603 Zamboni Apr.-29, 1952 2,616,809 Graves Nov. 4, 1952 2,617,264 McGovern et a1 Nov. 11, 1952 2,617,382 Duncan Nov. 11, 1952 2,631,566 Roop Mar, 17, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,887 Great Britain 1908 963,212 France Dec. 26, 1949 OTHER REFERENCES Byvac Publication, 1941. De Laval Model F. Combined Milking System, Novcmber 14, 1950. 4 

